From the Vault: The 2010 Isaac Asimov Memorial Debate

Every year, the Museum is proud to host the Isaac Asimov Memorial Debate, which brings together prominent scientists and public figures to discuss pressing questions on the frontier of scientific discovery.

Moderated by Neil deGrasse Tyson, who is the Frederick P. Rose Director of the Hayden Planetarium, the 2014 Isaac Asimov Memorial Debate is titled “Selling Space” and will feature panelists including Elliot Pulham of Space Foundation and Tom Shelley of Space Adventures Ltd. discussing the commercialization of space. Tickets for this event have already sold out, but the debate will be live-streamed on Wednesday March 19 at 7:30 PM Eastern Standard Time at amnh.org/LIVE. By March 21, the debate will also be available as a video on AMNH.tv or on the Museum’s YouTube channel.

In anticipation of the 2014 debate, this week’s podcast brings you a recording of the 2010 Isaac Asimov Memorial Debate, titled “Moon, Mars, and Beyond: Where Next for the Manned Space Program?” Listen as panelists such as Lester Lyles, four-star Air Force General and Paul Spudis, lunar mapper at the Lunar and Planetary Institute discuss the future of the manned space program, and where the next astronauts might find themselves. The event was moderated by Frederick P. Rose Director of the Hayden Planetarium Neil deGrasse Tyson and took place at the Museum on March 15, 2010.

The late Dr. Isaac Asimov, one of the most prolific and influential authors of our time, was a dear friend and supporter of the American Museum of Natural History. In his memory, the Hayden Planetarium is honored to host the annual Isaac Asimov Memorial Debate — generously endowed by relatives, friends, and admirers of Isaac Asimov and his work — bringing the finest minds in the world to the Museum each year to debate pressing questions on the frontier of scientific discovery. Proceeds from ticket sales of the Isaac Asimov Memorial Debates benefit the scientific and educational programs of the Hayden Planetarium.